COMMONS WEEK

The programme for  June 30 – July 4 :

Monday 30^th.               The Aesthetics of Trees                        Old Bowling Green 6.30           Walk with Nick Duncan to look at trees from a different perspective.

                                    Golf Competition                            Golf Course , various times

            (see poster or ring 01805 622229)

Tuesday 1^st.                  A Walk with The Conservators                  Barley Grove  6.30

            A stroll through parts of The Common with most of your questions answered. An introduction for newcomers and an opportunity to discuss future management.

Wednesday 2^nd,            Common flowers.                                 Old Bowling Green  6.30

            A look at some of the 400 species of flowers on The Common, with Mandy Harrison.

Thursday 3^rd.                Boules on the OBG                  Old Bowling Green from 6.30

            Try your arm at our simplified version to become Common champion.

Friday 4^th.                    Commons Run              Pannier Market for 7pm. start

            About 5 miles. Prizes for all   Please ring 01805 623509                  

Common News.

            I am sorry that in the May issue of The Crier , Common News was a repeat of the months before article. (did anybody notice?) Entirely my fault as I emailed the wrong copy. The flower meadow has been sown and after an anxious wait following the cold spring weather is now germinating. The path verges and other maintained areas are beginning to grow rapidly and it will soon be time to start cutting. This year we are using a new contractor – Robert Grills of New Street, Torrington. We still have not been able to have any meaningful dialogue with Defra over the non-payment of our grant, so will be reducing our commitment by not removing the mowings from some of the conservation areas. Hopefully we will restart next year and little damage will have been done.

            We have had reports of motorcycles on The Common again. The police were notified and arrived in time to take action against the culprits. They do cause damage and spoil the footpaths, so will you help in this matter by phoning the police on 08452 1777444 please. When you have explained where Torrington is, they will send a message to the local area.

            I am afraid that we have lost our argument against the decision to allow untreated surface water to be discharged into Common Lake Stream from the Torrington Gate housing scheme on Calf Street (the stream flows for most of its length through The Common).More accurately, we haven’t actually lost but were not allowed to take part in the deliberations. Despite letters and assurances from Torridge District Council that no decisions on this matter would be taken without full consultation, we have just been informed that following advice from The Environment Agency the planners have sanctioned this potential pollution to the stream. We are told that the TDC do not question such advice. Surely our representatives have more responsibility than they admit to. It is their duty to safeguard our environment, and within their power to help us to protect our town and common. Perhaps it was clear what the outcome would be over a year ago, when the actual drain into the watercourse was put in place even before building work had begun.

            No doubt similar permission will be given for the additional 24 dwellings proposed on the site to discharge sewage into the already inadequate system that regularly overflows onto The Common.

Two dates for the diary: Commons Golf Competition June 30^th. (622229)

                                     Commons Run- a most scenic route (523509).